Suspension of Jubrin by Reps has hidden agenda, says CDHR

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NIGERIA: THE Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has accused the House of Representatives of a hidden agenda over the suspension of Abdulmumini Jubrin.

The committee alleged that the suspension was a grand design by the leadership of the House to sweep the allegation of fraud against the principal officers under the carpet.

The CDHR in a press release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Rasheed Raji -Ropo‎, stated that part of the ploys to avoid investigating those indicted was the move by the leadership to suspend Jibrin, who was once the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation.

The committee stressed that should the House fail to investigate the allegations it may be forced, alongside other civil societies, to pressure the leadership to do what is right.

“We have watched with awe the macabre dance and ignominious development unfolding in the National Assembly; the allegations of corruption and counter allegations involving Hon. Jubrin Abdulmumini and leadership of the Federal House of Representatives,” the committee said.
The CDHR stated that it was worrisome with the nonchalance disposition of the House to investigate the allegation and come out with report, which should be made public.

“CDHR is deeply concerned with the failure of the House to investigate allegations of ‘budget padding’ raised by Honourable Jubrin, while the motion on abuse of members’ privileges was raised, debated and referred to ethics and privileges committee of the House for investigation, later resulting in the suspension of Jubrin from the green chamber for 180 days and sealing off his office,” the committee said.
‎According to the committee, the ugly development at the House has resulted in a national embarrassment that exposed the incompetence of the leadership and the members.

“Whereas, it is within the rules and powers of the House to regulate its internal affairs and sanction an erring member, the imbroglio surrounding the House of Representatives is a national embarrassment that transcends an internal affairs of the hallowed chambers,” the CDHR said.

“There are fundamental unanswered questions deserving not only investigation by the Parliament, but by also the anti-corruption agencies,” the committee said, adding: “Honourable Jubrin has admitted to some criminal conspiracies jointly perpetrated against the Nigerian people by both chambers of the National Assembly, under his supervision as the Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation.”

While saying that the leadership of the Senate was being prosecuted by office of Attorney General over allegation of fraud, the committee said that the same should be extended to the House leadership as the allegations are too weighty to be dismissed.

The CDHR also urged the anti-corruption agencies to step up their game and conclude their investigation expeditiously.

“While recognizing the doctrine of separation of power, the current government’s anti-corruption fight must be total and holistic, the committee said, adding: “As the leadership of the Senate is being prosecuted by Office of the Attorney General, based on investigation of the Police, Anti-corruption agencies are challenged to step up their game and conclude their investigation expeditiously.”

It added: “These self-confessed forgery and abuse of public trust are crimes within investigative and prosecutorial powers law enforcement agencies.”
The CDHR also added:‎“This case is akin to an armed robbery suspect walking into a police and confessing to several bank robbery over the years uncaught, because he was cheated in the last robbery by his gang members.”

The committee further said: “It is expected of the Police to arrest the disgruntled member of the robbery gang, investigate all the claims, arrest other members of the gang and prosecute them once there are merits in the claims.
‎“These latest revelation indicts both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The investigation of abuse of privilege of members and subsequent suspension of Honourable Jubrin by the whole House, across parties’ line, is an indication of the House resolution to sweep the matter under the carpet.”

“This goes strengthen our earlier calls for an open National Assembly. The process budgetary process and execution framework must be open, transparent and accountable to the people.”
It further said: “With the obvious decision of the House not to roughen the feather in their criminal enterprise, we hereby call on members our civil society to commence the demand for holistic reform in the management of the National Assembly funds.”

“We further demand the expeditious conclusion of investigations into the allegations of Honourable Jubrin against the entire National Assembly, both the House and Senate.

“There can be no better time for Nigerians to return to the street and protest against the hash economy and huge corruption and legislative robbery going on at the National Assembly than now.”